Inside the military council tent, Fukang'an pointed to the sand table and issued orders: "The Jianrui Cloud Ladder Battalion shall be the vanguard and must destroy all the bunkers that can enter the official residence; the musketeer battalion shall follow and not linger for a moment; the Green Standard Army shall provide final assistance; tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Senggesang will surely relax his guard, which is a great opportunity for us to win."
"General, you have not yet recovered. Please allow me to go to war in your stead!" the lieutenant pleaded, kneeling on the ground.
"No need. Tell the soldiers that I, the general, will never indulge in pleasure alone. Although everyone is homesick today, if we win, the day we return home will not be far off. We must win!" Fukang'an said firmly, holding Yan Ning's jade pendant.
Senggesang had many wives and concubines, and now, on this festive occasion of family reunion, he became even more smug and complacent as he looked at his many wives and children. It wasn't until Fukang'an's Green Standard Army stormed into the official residence that Senggesang finally realized what was happening.
“Fukang’an has a grudge against me and will certainly not spare me. But you are different. The Qing soldiers have always treated prisoners well. Wait until I go to Sonam to get reinforcements, and I will come to rescue you immediately.” After giving his instructions to his wife and children, Senggesang escaped from the secret room.
“I already received word that Fukang’an would attack your official residence tonight,” Sonam said, looking at the disheveled Senggesang without any surprise.
Enraged, Senggesang drew his sword and pointed it at Sonam, demanding, "Sonam, what are you up to?"
"The Qing army has been fighting this war for three years. Even with their iron-clad generals and bronze-soldiers, they won't be able to hold out for much longer. Once the Qing army withdraws from your official residence, that will be my territory. I never expected that you, Senggesang, would abandon your wife and children and flee for your life alone," Sonam said contemptuously.
"Reporting, Chief Tusi, the Qing army's elite cloud ladder battalion is already attacking the official residence," the clerk reported in a panic.
Sonam stood up angrily, throwing down his wine glass. "The spies clearly found out that Fukang'an was attacking Senggesang's official residence tonight, so why is he attacking us?"
"Fukang'an has always been cunning; this feint was brilliant," Senggesang said gleefully.
Sonam softened his expression and said, "Now we're in the same boat. Fortunately, the fortifications in my official residence are impregnable. You go and rest first, and we'll discuss aiding you after the Qing troops retreat."
Seeing that Sonam had changed his attitude, Senggesang, preoccupied with his wife and children, didn't think much of it and went with Sonam to attend to his business.
"My lord, behind the Jianrui Cloud Ladder Camp is the Musketeer Camp. We can barely protect ourselves, so how can we go to help Senggesang?" After returning, the clerk looked at Sonam with concern.
“Senggesang once offended Fukang’an. If we hand him over, perhaps I can still keep my position as chieftain.” Sonam handed a pot of wine to the steward, “Take this to Senggesang.”
On the night of the full moon, the Qing army's military might soared to the heavens, their murderous aura piercing the sky. Sonam, atop his fortified position, attempted to negotiate peace with Fukang'an.
"General Fucha, I know that Senggesang offended you in the past. Now he has been killed by me in the official residence, which can be considered as a way of avenging you. Our two armies have been fighting for a long time and both sides have suffered heavy losses. Why don't we discuss peace talks?"
When Fukang'an heard the news that Senggesang was at the Sonam official residence, he was shocked. He had already riddled the fortified bunkers of Senggesang's residence with holes, and he couldn't even withstand the Green Standard Army alone. Now, this old fox had actually abandoned his wife and children and fled alone.
"I wonder what method of negotiation Lord Sonom intends to use?" Fukang'an had no intention of negotiating peace; he simply wanted to see what tricks Sonom would play.
When Sonam saw that Fukang'an was willing to listen to his opinion, he knew that Senggesang had played a role. "You lead your troops out of Jinchuan and cannot set up Jinghua County here. I will still be the chieftain here, and the taxes and tributes will be paid regularly."
"Haha... This place has long been Jinghua of my Great Qing Dynasty, so what talk of Tusi (chieftain)? Musketeers, attack the stronghold!" With a command from Fukang'an, the musketeers poured into the breach created by the Jianrui Cloud Ladder Battalion.
Seeing that the Qing army was unstoppable, Sonam led his trusted troops to protect his family and retreated to another official camp, preparing to continue to resist the Qing army.
After parting ways with the leaders of the other religions, You Yuanzhi returned to Senggesang's official residence. Seeing the Qing soldiers guarding the outside, he knew that Senggesang's power was gone. He also feared that his dozens of brothers left in the village had also fallen victim to Fukang'an's treachery.
Under the moonlight, You Yuanzhi's eyes were even more consumed by hatred. The hatred for the stolen wife was already irreconcilable, and now he had also slaughtered hundreds of his own brothers. Filled with hatred, You Yuanzhi immediately headed for the capital.
"Zhuxiang, do I really have to wear these flowerpot-bottom shoes?" Yan Ning looked at the shoes on the table and gazed pitifully at Zhuxiang.
“Young lady, you must wear this. The old lady’s maternal family is the Yehenara clan, and they place great importance on Manchu etiquette. You haven’t been going to the manor to pay your respects, and the old lady hasn’t said anything because the general is away on campaign. But if you disregard the etiquette of the Fucha family, the old lady will certainly not let you off easily.” Zhu Xiang said as she helped Yan Ning put on the clothes.
"Ah..." Yan Ning had only taken two steps when she fell to the ground.
Zhu Xiang quickly helped Yan Ning up and carefully checked her over. Seeing that she wasn't injured, she breathed a sigh of relief. She genuinely liked this master who appeared composed on the surface but was actually childlike at heart.
Yan Ning threw her flowerpot-soled shoes on the ground, sulking with anger. She should have gone to see Heshen after the Mid-Autumn Festival. But because of these shoes, she couldn't even walk properly, and several days had passed without her being able to leave the house.
"Girl, let's practice some more, we'll definitely learn it." Zhu Xiang comforted Yan Ning, seeing her displeased expression.
"Call Zhao Xing here." Yan Ning had a good idea in mind, and her anger turned to joy.
"Young lady, you wanted to see me?" Zhao Xing bowed.
Yan Ning picked up the flowerpot-shaped shoes from Zhu Xiang's hand. "Go find a craftsman to thicken the soles of these shoes. Zhu Xiang, sew a tassel around the edges of the shoes for me."
Zhu Xiang and Zhao Xing immediately understood and quickly completed the task Yan Ning had assigned. Yan Ning looked at the thick-soled flowerpot shoes, but because a tassel covered them, she couldn't tell anything amiss.
As soon as they stepped out of the Fu residence, Yan Ning excitedly pulled Zhu Xiang along, saying, "We're finally out!"
Seeing Yan Ning so happy, Zhu Xiang felt happy too. "Miss, where shall we go first?"
"Go to Heshen's house."
"Miss, are we really going to Lord He's residence?" Zhao Xing, driving the carriage, asked again in disbelief.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Yan Ning stood in front of the "He Di" gate, waiting for Zhao Xing to announce her arrival.
The "He Di" in front of us is no different from other mansions. Although it is grand, it does not have the magnificent feeling of the Prince Gong Mansion. Is this really the predecessor of the Prince Gong Mansion?
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